Cloth



(No Model.)

R.O. MORAN. I APPARATUS FOR STEAMING AND SPONGING CLOTH.

No. 532,474. Patented Jan. 15., 1895.

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UNITED-1 STATES ATENT Orr-E.

ROBERT C. MORAN, OF SI-IERBROOKE, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO ALEXANDER L. COUTTS AND ROBERT E. ROBINSON, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR STEAiMljNG ANDFSPONGIN'G CLOTH.

sPnoImcA'rroN forming part of Letters ratent Nb. 532,474, dated January 15, 1895.

Application filed m 28.1894. Serial n0. 518,806. on) model.)

To all whom, it may concern: The drawings represent in Figure l a sec- Be it known that I, ROBERT C. MORAN, a tional plan. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing acloth-steaming apparatus embodying myinat Sherbrooke, in the county of Sherbrooke vention. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a 5 and Province of Quebec, Canada, have intransverse section. Fig. 5isasection on line vented certain new and useful Improvements 44, Fig. 4 in Apparatus for Steaming and Sponging In the above drawings 2. 2. represent twin Cloth; and I do hereby declare the following stands, or housings adapted to support the as to be a full, clear, and exact description of the semblage of parts which comprise my invento invention, such as will enableothers skilled tion. Transversely between themis mounted in the art to which it appertains to make and a hollow cylinder or steamer 3, the periphery use the same, reference being had to the acof which is pierced with fine holes. This cylcompanying drawings, and to figures of referinder is adapted for rotation and is operated ence marked thereon, which form a part of by means of the pulley 4 to some prime mo- I 5 this specification. tor. Longitudinally and centrally of the bore This invention relates to mechanism for of this cylinder extends asteam pipe 5. This steaming or sponging cloth during its prolatter is formed with a series of apertures gross in the finishing department of woolen along its upper surface and is supplied with mills. steam which is directed upwardly against the 20 The purpose of my improvements is priportion of the cylinder nearest the cloth or marily to prevent condensation and thereby upon which the cloth may contact. This pipe avoid spots orstreaks on the'goods; secondly, is stationary and fitted with pipes 6. 7, reto produce uniform steaming, and prevent speotively supply and exhaust, at each end, currents of air from interfering with the said pipes having valves 8. 9 to regulate the 2 5 proper efiects of the vapor of the steam which steam passing therethro ugh.

causes irregular and unsatisfactory results. Exteriorly about the steamer 3 is placed a A further advantage is obtained in the conjacket 10. Preferably this is made from some struction by which the pile or nap on the knit or woven woolen fabric, and is placed goods continues to lie flat and .presents as there in order to break up the numerous 8o 0 smooth a finish after, as before the process of steam jets and compel the steam to spread steaming took place. out and pass uniformly through the jacket. The primary features of my invention com- Hence every portion of the cloth in process prise a revoluble foraminated cylinder covis subjected to the vapor of the steam in the ered with a woven fabric or a jacket formed same degree and no spots or streaks occur. 8 5 3 5 with fine interstices and interiorly steam sup Since the cylinder is constantly under the plied. In connection with this cylinder is a influence of steam and in order to prevent hollow metal shell or heater so shaped as to condensation of the latter a hollow metallic partly inclose the cylinder. This heater is shell or'heater12is provided. Thisis troughunder steam pressure also,.and its function shaped on the upper side in order to partly 40 is to prevent condensation on the cylinder. inclose the steamer andis heated by steam un- Furthermore I provide a series of cloth-conder a high pressure. The steam supply is at veying rollers'adapted to be adjusted with re- 13, the exhaust at 14, while the pipe 6 interspect to the cylinder and thereby regulate connects the heater with the pipe 5, the valve the amount of contact which the cloth shall 8 regulating the supply necessary for the 5 5 have about the cylinder, or the cloth may proper steaming of the cloth.. Thus by keepsimply pass above the cylinder as circumingtheheateratahightemperaturethejacket stances dictate. placed about the cylinder and above the heater Other characteristic features and the mode is kept hot, thereby overcoming the disadvanof operating the various parts as well as the tages which arise from condensation arising 10c 50' advantages which accrue will'be hereinafter from cooling due to free exposure to the air. fully described. In the operation of the above parts and in order to properly conduct the cloth to the cylinder and convey it away, as likewise to subjeot it more or less to the influence of the steamer, dependent upon the quality of the goods, groups of rolls 15. 15': 16. 16 are provided. These rolls are arranged in parallelism with the steamer, but laterally thereof in pairs as shown, and have rotation of their own to cause the cloth to travel over or partially about the steamer or cylinder 3. These groups of rolls are furthermore mounted at each end on twin carriages 17. 17' adapted for vertical rise or fall upon the standards. The pendent arms 18. 18' from each carriage engage in undercut grooves in said standards to maintain them in proper position. To permit equal and simultaneous adjustment of the rolls, racks are formed upon the arms while ashaft 19 carries toothed wheels 20. 20 which engage the racks. A hand Wheehcrank, or other mechanism maybeemployed toadjust the position of the rollers. To hold this group of partsiu position against the effects of gravity a ratchet wheel 21 and pawl 23 are provided, the ratchet being atfixed upon the shaft 19 before alluded to.

The method of operating the above various instrumentalities is as followsz steam is first allowed to pass into the heater, while the supply valve 8 is opened to allow proper steam admission into the perforated pipe 5 and thus fill the cylinder or steamer 3, the vapor finally escaping through the interstices inthe jacket. After these various parts have been properly heated, the condensed water being discharged through the pipes 7 and 14, the rollers 15.16 are adjusted in position ac cording to the quality of the goods to be steamed or sponged. In conducting the cloth through the apparatus it is passed through in the direction of or with the nap, and since in the use of this revolving steamer the goods are in contact with and traveling with the cylinder the position of every fiber on the face of the goods remains undisturbed, the fabrics leaving the steamer as they went on, thereby giving the goods a beautiful finish. In ordinary steaming apparatus where open or free steaming occurs, the steam lifts the pile or nap causing arough appearance. This is obviated by my mechanism. Moreover spots and streaks are avoided since all vapor which escapes from the revolving steamer is the time being a part of the cylinder. Hence they must be steamed uniformly, the goods receiving every vapor of steam while no air currents can intervene, to cause irregular steaming attended by cloudy or uneven places on the fabric.

What I claim is- 1. The combination with acyliuder having a foraminated periphery, a porous jacket to inclose the same, means for directing steam within the cylinder, and means for revolving the same, of a hollow steam heated shell partially inclosing the cylinder, and groups of rollers adjustable with respect to the cylinder but in parallelism therewith, substantially as stated.

2. In apparatus for steaming cloth, a stationary heater, a perforated cylinder in part inclosed by the heater, a fibrous jacket thereabout to be subjected to heat from the heater, combined with a series of clotlrcarrying rollers in parallelism with the cylinder, twin carriages which support said rollers for vertical movement, mechanism for holding said carriages in any position and means for revolving the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

3. In apparatus for steaming cloth, the combination with a suitable standard, a foramicylinder and formed with a series of apertu res longitudinally disposed on one side, and means for revolving the cylinder of a fixed heater adapted to partially inclose the cylinder, a group of clothconveying rollers having vertical up and down movement, means for controlling the steam supply within the cylinder and heater, together with mechanism for pogitioning the rollers, substantially as speci- 1e In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROB-'1. C. MORAN. Witnesses:

J AS. F. MORKILL, M. KIMPTON.

nated cylinder, a stationary pipe within the 

